Although Bellingham has earned a reputation as a craft beer town, we are actually fans of all craft beverages, including wine, whiskey, cider, kombucha and cocktails. We also love to show off our local food and chefs. With this combination Bellingham and Whatcom County are filled with venues offering events for wine tasting and all kinds of libations on a regular basis.
Here’s a list to help you plan. This post will be updated as additional events are announced.
Hotel Bellwether presents its Premier Wine Tasting Socials monthly in the fall and winter. Tickets are $30/person, plus tax, including wine tastings and light appetizers. Upcoming 2020 dates include:
Lombardi's Bellingham offers an exclusive monthly wine club for women called "Club W: Wine, Women, Wednesday". The events are held the 4th Wednesday of February, April, June, September, November, beginning at 6 p.m.
The evening includes four 3 oz pours of the featured winery or grape varietal, each alongside a small bite prepared by Executive Chef Andy Hillard, as well as door prizes, a guest speaker and tasting notes with details about a wine subject.
Seating is limited to 36 spots and reservations are required. Tickets are available on line at lombardisitalian.com.
Winemaker Dinners at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine feature the culinary excellence of the Semiahmoo kitchen staff and the expert knowledge of Pacific Northwest winemakers. Each dinner includes champagne and appetizers upon arrival, three to five dinner courses, and a wine to pair with every course. Seating is limited and reservations are required.
Reception begins at 5:30. Five-course dinner begins at 6 p.m. For tickets click on the links below. Special room rates at Semiahmoo Resort are also available for the winemaker dinner attendees. For hotel reservations call the front desk at 360-318-2000.
Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 dinner features Alexandria Nicole Cellars. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Friday, Mar. 13, 2020 features Dunham Cellars. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Friday, April 10, 2020 features Ponzi Vineyards. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Friday, May 8, 2020 features Abeja Winery. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Thursday, June 18, 2020 features Bookwalter Wines. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Thursday, July 16, 2020 features J. Lohr Wines. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020 features Duckhorn Vineyards. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 features K Vintners. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 features Goose Ridge Estate. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 features Three of Cups Winery. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 features Maloney Wine. Tickets are available online for $147.50 per person and include 18% gratuity.
Take a scenic drive north of Bellingham into the heart of Whatcom County farmland. Samson Estates Winery is located on a family-owned raspberry farm with gorgeous views of Mt. Baker. The tasting room is open Friday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., offering award-winning varietals including chardonnay, riesling, merlot, syrah and cabernet sauvignon. Samson is especially well known for its artisan fruit wine grown on the farm featuring raspberry, blackberry and blueberry, and for dessert wines made from hazelnuts, raspberries, blueberries, and black currants.
Featuring over 200 wines from 60 different Pacific Northwest wineries, the Northwest Wine Festival is returning to Bellingham July 25, 2020.
In addition to the wineries, the event will feature up to two distilleries and one brewery from the Pacific Northwest. And for foodies: enjoy a selection of appetizers from Bellingham Four Points Executive Chef Bryce Lamb, as well as small plates prepared by six Whatcom County restaurants, including this year’s featured restaurant: Leader Block Wine Co. & Eatery.
Tickets go on sale in late March and can be purchased through BellinghamNorthwestWineFestival.com.
